The future of dentistry has begun! Today, we’re seeing the emergence of technological advances in dentistry that make dental care more personalized and comfortable than ever before. Dental professionals must remain current with leading-edge trends in order to deliver the customized experience patients expect. Here are a few areas where advancements abound:
- Tools: Laser cavity detection, digital X-rays, drill-less cavity removal, needle-less anesthesia, and lasers for soft- and hard-tissue treatments are just a few of the advancements you’ll find in today’s modern dental offices. These tools are quickly replacing invasive scalpels, drills, and injections – the very things that have made many people shy away from dental care in the past.
- Stem Cells: It’s now possible to extract stem cells from extracted teeth and preserve them to safeguard future health. Imagine having a wisdom tooth removed and banking the stem cells for when you need them. People who missed out on the opportunity to preserve their children’s cord blood can still reap the benefits of this amazing scientific discovery.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma: Taken from a small amount of your own blood, platelet-rich plasma can speed healing following dental surgery and aid in bone regeneration.
- A New Generation of Patients: Perhaps one of the biggest shifts in dentistry involves the patients themselves. As more and more children grow up reaping the benefits of fluoridated water and toothpaste, and more and more parents understand the importance of good oral health, a new generation of patients is emerging. This and future generations of young adults will continue to focus on prevention. As levels of oral health rise, so may the demand for cosmetic dentistry. Treatments to refine and enhance will likely gain increased popularity as more people place value on esthetics and require fewer restorative procedures than generations past.
As a progressive practitioner of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, Dr. Murphy has one foot firmly in the present and the other in the future to provide contemporary care for this and future generations.
Research is moving toward the possibility of growing a new tooth when one is lost….the ultimate “dental implant”!!
